Craving some comforting Louisiana flavors? Try our chicken and sausage jambalaya for dinner! It’s simple to make and sure to be a hit with everyone.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 11 oz andouille sausages, sliced into ¼-inch coins
- 2 cups yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken or seafood stock
- ¼ cup green onion, finely chopped (for garnish)
Equipment
- Wooden spoon or turner
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the cubed chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the pot. Brown the chicken for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once browned, remove the chicken and set it aside in a medium bowl. In the same pot, brown the sausage in the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil.
- Add the onion, celery, and bell pepper (the “trinity”) to the pot. Cook over medium-high heat for about 6 minutes, until the onions soften and turn golden. The vegetables will release enough moisture to deglaze the pan—use a wooden spoon to scrape up the fond (flavor bits stuck to the bottom). Add the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring until fragrant.
- Stir in the rice, making sure it’s well coated, then cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice is lightly toasted. Add the spices, including the bay leaves, and stir constantly for 30-60 seconds to bloom the flavors.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, chicken, and sausage to the pot. Stir everything together until well combined. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, gently stirring every 5 minutes to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Remove the pot from heat and taste the jambalaya. Adjust the seasonings as needed. Let the jambalaya sit, covered, for 15-20 minutes to allow the rice to absorb any remaining liquid. Discard the bay leaves.
- Garnish with chopped green onion for added flavor and color. Serve the jambalaya warm, paired with a fresh green salad or a crusty French baguette. Enjoy!